The Dark Side of Smartphone Addiction

A Growing Crisis Among Youth

- N.V Ramesh Mysuru

In recent years, smartphones have become an inseparable part of our daily lives, especially for the younger generation. However, the increasing reliance on mobile phones has led to alarming consequences, including depression, anxiety, and even suicide. The tragic cases of young students taking their own lives due to mobile addiction highlight a growing crisis that needs urgent attention.

Smartphones: A Lifeline or a Trap?

Recently, a first-year BA student ended her life after her mother confiscated her mobile phone. Similarly, reports from different parts of India have documented cases where teenagers took extreme steps when denied access to their smartphones. A 16-year-old girl from Vettiyara hanged herself following a conflict with her parents over excessive phone usage. In another case, a teenage boy, addicted to video games, took his life when his father took away his mobile device.

These heartbreaking incidents raise an important question: how has a mere gadget become so deeply integrated into the emotional and psychological well-being of our youth?

The Psychological Trap of Mobile Addiction